Chapter 18: The Man Behind the Curtain

The threatening note remained in Eric's hand as the group left Central Station under heavy security. The atmosphere inside the convoy was completely different from before. No one spoke. The enemy had crossed a line.

This was no longer just an investigation into Amelia Brooks' disappearance.

Someone had openly threatened Stella's life.

Inside the lead SUV, Mason received an incoming call from one of the Chilton Group's intelligence officers.

'Mr. Mason,' the man said urgently.

'We've identified Victor Kane's last known location before he disappeared five years ago.'

'Where?' Mason asked.

'A private warehouse on the eastern docks.'

'The property was purchased under a shell company that no longer exists.'

Mason immediately relayed the information to Eric.

Eric didn't hesitate.

'We'll go there tonight.'

'Sir,' Mason objected, 'it could be another trap.'

'It probably is,' Eric replied calmly.

'But whoever is behind this is getting nervous. That means we're getting closer to the truth.'

Stella looked at him quietly.

'Then I'm coming too.'

'No,' Eric answered without hesitation.

'You're the one they're targeting.'

'Exactly,' Stella replied.

'If I hide every time someone threatens me, they'll keep controlling our lives.'

Eric looked into her determined eyes.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, he sighed.

'You stay beside me.'

'You don't leave my sight.'

'Deal?'

Stella smiled faintly.

'Deal.'

Forty minutes later, the convoy arrived at the abandoned docks.

The warehouse stood alone near the river, its rusted metal walls creaking in the cold night wind.

Mason signaled the security team.

'Two teams cover the exits.'

'Nobody enters or leaves without my order.'

Eric and Stella entered through the front door while flashlights illuminated the dusty interior.

Broken crates were scattered across the floor.

Old machinery sat abandoned in every corner.

It looked deserted.

Too deserted.

'Something feels wrong,' Stella whispered.

'Stay alert,' Eric replied.

As they reached the center of the warehouse, Mason suddenly noticed fresh footprints in the dust.

'Someone's been here recently.'

The footprints led toward a locked office overlooking the warehouse floor.

Eric pushed the door open.

Inside, everything was covered with old documents, maps, and filing cabinets.

One cabinet stood open.

Several folders had been removed recently.

'Look at this,' Stella said.

She pointed toward a large city map hanging on the wall.

Several locations across River City were marked with red circles.

Among them were the Judd residence...

The Chilton Estate...

The engagement hotel...

And Central Station.

'They're tracking us,' Mason muttered.

Eric's attention shifted to the desk.

Hidden beneath a stack of papers was a leather notebook.

He carefully opened it.

Most of the pages were blank.

Only the final page contained writing.

'Project Phoenix.'

'Phase Two begins after the wedding.'

'Target: Stella Judd.'

'Objective: Force Eric Chilton's cooperation.'

Stella's face turned pale.

'Cooperation?'

'With what?'

Before anyone could answer, a slow clap echoed through the warehouse.

Everyone turned instantly.

An elderly man stepped out from the shadows above the office balcony.

He wore an expensive black suit and carried an elegant walking cane.

Despite his age, his eyes were sharp.

'Mr. Chilton,' the man said with a smile.

'You've exceeded my expectations.'

Eric's expression became colder than ever.

'Who are you?'

'Someone you've been searching for without realizing it.'

The man chuckled softly.

'Five years ago, Amelia Brooks came far too close to discovering our organization.'

'Now you've decided to finish what she started.'

Stella stepped forward.

'Did you kill Amelia?'

The man smiled but gave no answer.

'Some questions are better left unanswered, Miss Judd.'

'You'll understand soon enough.'

Mason quietly signaled the snipers outside.

But before anyone could move, dozens of red laser dots suddenly appeared across the warehouse walls.

Every member of Eric's security team froze.

They were surrounded.

'Please don't do anything foolish,' the old man said calmly.

'My men are excellent marksmen.'

'One wrong move…'

'And someone you love dies first.'

Eric slowly stepped in front of Stella, shielding her with his body.

'If you want something,' he said steadily,

'Talk to me.'

'Leave her out of this.'

The old man's smile widened.

'Interesting.'

'Just as Amelia predicted…'

'You'd always choose someone else's life over your own.'

He adjusted his gloves before turning toward the exit.

'We'll meet again very soon, Mr. Chilton.'

'At your wedding.'

With that final sentence, the warehouse lights suddenly went out.

Darkness swallowed everything.

Gunfire echoed from outside.

By the time emergency lights flickered back on a minute later…

The mysterious old man had disappeared without a trace.

Only one thought remained in Eric's mind.

The enemy wasn't planning to stop the wedding anymore.

They were planning to use it.